NEW: I just got off the phone with doctors in Bergen County, New Jersey who told me their hospitals are saying doctors & nurses will be *disciplined* for wearing protective gear, including masks. This is dangerous and may be illegal. And their stories are alarming... (1/5)
Hospital physicians tell me this is happening across the state. Nurses worry they could be fired if they wear protective gear, but worry if they don’t they’re putting themselves & patients at risk. It comes as NJ has an explosion in COVID cases, particularly Bergen County. (2/5)
.@GovMurphy, please immediately investigate this, and order a ban in New Jersey on such a dangerous practice. No hospital should threaten doctors and nurses with disciplinary action for wearing masks. This is not complicated. (3/5)
I've heard other hospitals nationwide are enforcing this policy, too. Who knows how rampant it is? Some internal documents we obtained suggest certain federal restrictions by the CDC may be guiding this decision. (4/5)
If that's the case, @realdonaldtrump should immediately intervene & prohibit public hospitals from being able to threaten their staff for wearing protective equipment during this crisis, including gloves and masks. This is urgent and common sense. And it will save lives. (5/5)
Folks have been asking for what the “explanation” is for this decision. We’ve been told the hospital administrators are concerned patients & visitors would be unduly alarmed & fearful if they saw health care workers wearing protective clothing & masks. (6)
Of course the other reason for this policy might be the shortage of this equipment. But obviously these front line personnel need it. Here’s an excerpt of a document one hospital sent to medical staff: (7) 
